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IMPROVED BRICK-MACHINE.

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TO ALL-PERSONS TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COMES` Be it'iknown that I, JOHN NORTH, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Pressing or Moulding Bricks, Tiles, or other Blocks, from clay or other 'material or materials, and that the following description, taken/in connection with the 'accompanying drawing, forms a full and complete specification, whern I have 'set forth the nature and principles of my said improvements, whereby my invention maybe distinguished from all others of a similar class, together with such parts as I claim and desire to have sccuredto me by Letters Patent. l

The improvements embraced in the present invention relate to that class of machines for the pressing or moulding of bricks, tiles` or other blocks from clay or V.other material or materials, in which a'wheel or other frame is arranged to move in a circular plane, and is provided with a mould, or a series of moulds, in or around its periphery or edge or circumference; and this invention consists- First, in hanging or suspending the mould-wheel, made of a ring or annular shape, upon a. series of rollers, at suitable points around the inner periphery or circumference ofthe wheel to maintain it in position, while at the same time itis free to be revolved for bringing the moulds around and in its periphery or edge nregula'r order or succession, in position for being filled with the clay or other material used in the hopper.

Second, in so constructing the mould-wheel or frame and connecting it with the driving-power or shaft employedas to have an intermittent rotary motion, incombination with a follower, or plunger` or plungers,so arranged within thehopper containing the clay or other material, that when the saidmould-whcel or frame is stationary, orY at rest, such plunger or plungers will -then be moved forward and toward the same, carrying the clay, Ste., along with it andinto the mould'or'm'oulds of the wheel then in position therefor, when, as the wheel. moves forward, the pressure of such plunger therein will berelease'd Third, in the'combinatioin with a mould-wheel or frame arranged to have an intermittent rotary motion, and adapted for having its moulds lled with clay in a similar manner to that hereinabove stated -as constitut# ing the second feature of the ,present improvementsor in any other suitable manner, of a frame so disposed about the wheel, and connected with the driving-shaft or power used, that when the'wheel is stationary or at rest, it will receive such operation as to caus e a pressure through the plunger or plungers of the mould or moulds, then in position or line therewith, to be exerted on the clay in the moulds in one direction, while being confined in the other direction by the said frame, and thus compressing the clay, 81e., forming it into more compact and perfect bricks, tiles, or other blocks, according to the peculiar shape of the moulds, but, as the wheel moves forward again, will be released and freed therefrom, the amountof-pressure exerted by the said presserframe, as above stated, being susceptible o'f adjustment at pleasure.

Fourth, in the-combination, with a mould-wheel or frame arranged to have an intermittent rotary motion, 'of a suitable device or devices for clearing the bricks, Ste., from the moulds of the wheel, as such moulds in regular order and succession are brought around thereto, after having been filled with the clay, lite., or such i which clearing-device or devices are so arranged and connected with the drivingclay compressed'therein,V p mechanism or power as to have the necessary and proper movement, and at the time when the wheel is 'stationary or at rest, the bricks', libc., as thus cleared from the moulds, falling upon suitable tables orother sur- Y face properly located therefor, or, as in this invention, upon an endless band or apron, the arrangement'of which forms another .and the nextrpart of the present improvement.

Fifth, the combination, with a mould-wheel or frame that is arranged to have an intermittent rotary motion, and is provided with a device or devices for clearing the bricks, duc., from its moulds, when the wheel isvstationary, as such moulds'are brought around thereto, of an .endless travelling belt or apron for receiving such bricks,

las they are cleared from the moulds, for conveying them from the machine, orf to any desired locality, when such. belt or apron is arranged to have Van intermittent motion, and so connected withl the driving-mechanism as to be at rest when the mould-wheel is stationarybut to be moved as such wheel moves, whereby a clear surface or part of the apron is presented to receive the bricks, tc., from the wheel, and by proper adjustment lof the connecting driving-mechanism the necessary forward movement ofthe belt enabled to be secured for the deposit of the bricks in close order and positionupou the same.

Sixth, so arranging the brushes for clearing or cleaning the mould-wheel or ing bricks, &c., from dust, when such wheel has an intermittent rotary motion,

frame of a machine for pressthe wheel so cleared as to have an intermittent .rotary motion in conjunction with that ofthe wheel; these brushes being so disposed as to act upon the mould-wheel at a point or points between that lat which the bricks moulded are discharged or cleared therefromA and that at which the moulds are lled with clay, and for and for oiling the surface of the clearing-brush to act at a point in advance of that of the oil-brush, so as to leave a clear surface in the wheel therefor.

Seventh, in arranging, for action upon the periphery or edge of the wheel wherein the moulds are located, a device for scraping the edge of such wheel as it passes forward from the hopper containing the clay so scraped otf back again in the hopper.

Eighth, so securing the moulds within-the mould-wheel as to be susceptible of attachment therein or retrieval therefrom, as desired for repairs or the insertion of new ones, 85e. i

In the accompanying plate of drawings my improvements in machines for pressing or moulding bricks, tiles, or other blocks, from clay or other material or materials, are illustrated- Figure l, plate 1, being a side elevation of a machine for such purpose, made according thereto.

Figure 2, plate 1, another elevation of the saine, and from the same side as that in fig. l, but with such side-supporting frame removed, and the mould-wheel and other parts at points inrertical sections.

Figure 3, plate 2, a plan or top view. v

Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, being detail views, to be hereinafter referred to.

A, in the drawings, represents the supportingr framework of the machine, which, in the present instance, consists of two parallel upright side frames, B, of suitable form foil carrying the working parts, and .braced or connected together by cross-beams or bars C at proper points.

D, the drivingshaft, having a pulley, E, with which to connect it with-the driving-power employed. This shaft D is arranged to turn in bearings at one end of the side frames B, across from one'to the other of which it extends, and outside of such'frames, at each end, is provided with a similar pinion-wheel, E, that is arranged to engage with the large gear-wheels F on the outer ends of a transverse horizontal shaft, G, hung in suitable bearings of the side frames B, across from one to the other of which it extends, these gear-wheels F being upon the outside of the frames B.

H, pitman-rods, hung by one end to the face of the gear-wheels F, eccen-trically therewith, and one to each wheel, and at the other to the outer ends of crank-arms I, that are fixed to a transverse horizontal shaft, J, hung in bearings of the side frames B, and extending across tothe other side ofthe saine. Through the shafts J the several parts of the machine, that is the mould-wheel, follower in elay-h`o pper, presser-frame, travelling endless apron or belt, mould-clearers, cleaning and oiling-bruslies, dto., are operated, as and by means of connections to be hereinafter and below described.

K, a wheel or frame made of an annular or ring shape, and supported in an upright or vertical position between the side frames B, upon a series ofu'ollers. L, arranged upon the inside periphery or edge M ot" the wheel; these rollers in the present instance being eight in number, four upon each side, and by means of shoulders of the wheels inner edge M preventing any lateral or side motion of the wheel if turned around upon its rollers L in a vertical plane. This wheel, around its periphery or edge, is provided with a series of moulds, O, at suitable and equal distances apart, the size, number, and particular shape of which will depend upon cir cumstances, and, in the present instance, it is shown as being adapted to receive sixty-four moulds, in sixteen sections, of four each. These sections extend across the' width of the wheel or frame, and are inserted in the frame or wheel, and there secured by screws O or other fastening-devices, so as to he' susceptible of removal therefrom for being repaired or new ones substituted therefor, and each mould of the series provided with a4 separate and distinct plunger or follower, R, that by a stem, S, on their inner sides, project through poles 'l' in tho wheel or frame toward the centre of the same. This frame R, upon-its inneredge or periphery, is provided at regular and equal distancesv apart with a series of si-nilar semicireular recesses or notches, U, with which, as the shaft J, hereinbefore referred to, is rocked by thev revolution of the driving-shaft D, through the connecting parts above described, a pawl, V, in regular order engages, and thus causes'the wheel to be carried around .with an intermittent'motion in the direct-ion represented by the arrow in the drawings; this pawl V being hung to the outer end of a crank-anu, W, on the rocker-shaftulf, in suitable position therefor.

X, the'hopper or box in which the `clay or other material is placed, from which bricks, dac., are to be moulded or pressed. This hopper X islocated at' one side of the mould-wheel or frame, and is supported upon a platform, Y, of the frame B.

Z, the follower or plunger, arranged to move in hopper X in a direction or line towards the periphery of the mould-wheel, and thus to press forward and into such moulds of the same as may be in position therefor, the clay contained in the hopper. To this follower Z, at its outer end, two connecting-rods,'A2, are hung,'one upon each side, andA suchn'ods at their other ends tothe inside faces of the crank-arms I, hcrcinbefore referred to, on shaftiJ, whereby, as shaft Jis rocked or made tovibrate from side to side, the said follower will be moved -into and out of the hopper, either more or less, according as the connecting parts may be adjusted, thus carrying and forcing the clay into the moulds, in position therefor, in its forward movement.

B2, a frame, consisting oftwo side parallel bars, C2, joined together at each end by cross-pieces D2 and D2, the one, D2, being round, and the ether, D, tlat and smooth upon its inside surface or face'E3. This frame B2 is arranged between the side frames B, outside of the wheelK, in a horizontal plane, resting by its'side bars C2 and end pieces D3 upon friction-rollcrs F2, hung to the inside frames B, at suitable points therefor, and by its end barsD2 extending across the wheel K, within the open centre of thc same, and by its end piece D3 across the wheel, upon the outer periphery whereon, at times, as will be hereinafter explained, it is brought to bear.

`Gr, toggle-lcvers, jointed together at one end, and arranged between the side bars C2 of the frame lFiLr the cross-bar D2, of which the outer end of such levers G2 is hung, with the outer end of the other lever G2 hung to a cross-bar, H2, arranged to slide upon the side bars C", and in position to come to a hearing upon thc inside of the mould-wheel, at a point opposite to where the cross-bar D3 of the frame B2 bears upon the outside' I2, an arm hung to jointof toggle-levers G2, and extending down therefrom, connecting it with the outer end of a crank-arm, J2, of the rocker-shaft J, to whichiit is hung, v

By means of this connection, above described, between the toggle-levers Gi'and the rocker-shattJ, as Vsuch shaft vibratcs forward and backward, the said toggle-levers will be either brought to a straight position, or, in

. other words, in the same line with each other, or nearly so, or brought to a positionv either more or less angular yfrom the joints to the outer ends, as the c asc may be, and according to the adjustment ofthe parts, and thus, in r3 the one case, bring or cause the slide-bar H2 and cross-piece D5 of' the frame B2 to close upon the wheel, and in the other to open therefrom, as is obvious.

K2, a small frame, suspended from the cranl -arm, hereinbefore referred to, of rocker-shaft J, and carrying by its cross-piece L2 a series'of stems or rods M2, corresponding in number-to that ofthe moulds inthe section of the mould-wheels, and at distances apart corresponding Ito the holes at the inner end of such moulds through which the stems to their plungers play. These stems M2 extend downward through guide-holes of a cross-piece,

Ks O2, fixed in the framework B- thereof, and are to operate in the moulds of the wheel, for clearing them of the bricks moulded orl pressed therein. f N2, an endless belt or apron, arranged below the mould-wheel K, for travelling in a horizontal plane, andv in a direction from under the wheel to the outside of the framework A at one end. This apron N2, at each end, passes over and around a roller, P2, hung in suitable bearings of the side frames B, across from one/to the other of which they extend.

Q2, pinion-wheel on the ends of the inner roller P, with which pinion-wheels Qzengage similar gear-wheels R2 upon the ends of a transverse horizontal shaft, S', hung in bearings of the side-frames B2, and extending across from one to the other of the same. "l i I T, pawls'arranged to engage withthe gear-wheels Rz, just above referred to, which pawls are hung to arms l U', turning above and upon the shafts Sz carrying such wheels R2, and at their other or upper ends are connected with the crank-arms I of the rocker-shaft .l upon the inside faces of the same. By this connection, as the shaft J vibratcs ormoves forward and backward, the pa'wls in thc one instance are triade to revolve the gear-wheels R2, andin the other instance topass freely backward over the teeth, thereby, as is obvious, 'producing or giving an intermittent forward movement to the endless apron.

v V2, a brush, fixed to a cross-piece', W2, between the two side frames B2, and'in position to brush thesurfac'e i o of the endless apron as it passes around and under such cross-piece. r X2, a cylindrical brush, hung in and between the outer ends to arms Y. suspended from the shafts S2, and `carrying the gear-wheels R2, through which the endless travelling` apron is driven, which .arm-s Y2, at the outer ends, are supported upon bent coiled springs of the side frame B, suitablylocated to hold the said brush up and against the face ot' the mould-frame or wheel, as such wheel is revolved.

A3, gear-wheels on outer end ofshaft, carrying brush X2, just above referred to, and arranged to gearinto the drivinggears R2 for the endless apron. By these gears A3 the brushis driven, nud with an intermittent rotary motion, ns is obvious.

B, a cylindrical brush, arranged by its centre shaft to revolve or turn wit-hin an oil-reservoir, C3, that is fixed between the two extension-arms Ds of the two arms Y2, carrying the cylinder-brush X2, hereinbcfore referred to, this brush B, by its shaft being suspended and turning 'mfthe upper ends ofsuch extension-armsl Dl, and such cxtcnsionrarms D3 turning upon the main arms, and ltheir movement being limited by stops thereof, suitably located to prevent thc upsetting or overturning ofthe oilreservoir C3. Y i

E?, gear-wheels on shafts Aof brush B3, and, interlocking with gear-wheels A3 to the shaft ofthe other brush X2, by and through the means of which gear-wheels E3, such brush-B is rotated with an intermittent motion,

j as is obvious, thus oiling the faceot the mould-wheel in contact with which it isarranged to revolve.

F3, a board or plate, suspended from vupper' end of clay-hopper or box, into which it extends, bearing, by its edge G", against the t'acc of the mould-wheel, from which it scrapes the clay asthe wheel passes fromth` k hopper, throwing it back into the same.

H3, weights applied to the arms 13 ofthe scrape-board, and serving to hold thesaid scraper for action against the face of the mould-wheel or frame. l

Having thus, in detail, explained the construction and arrangetnntof the several parts composing my improvements in machines for moulding and pressing bricks, 5cc., and the inanner in which they are connected together, I will now proceed to describe how and in what manner they operate together to produce the moulding and pressing of' the clay, and other effects necessary for making itinto bricks or tiles, Ste., as thc case may be.

Having lirst supplied to vthe hopper the clay, or other material of which the bricks or tiles, 82e., are to be made, by thea turning the drivingshat`t of' th'c machine, motion willbe imparted to the working parts thereof,

so that the clay withinjthe hopper, or which from time to time is supplied thereto, in any suitable manner,

by hand or otherwise, will be carried and forced out of the hopper, through the motion of its follower, into the moulds of the wheel then opposite thereto, driving Aalong the plungers of such moulds with it, when, the said follower having reached the limit of its forward movement, the wheel, that while such filling of its moulds was taking place was stationary,is then revolved suiliciently to bring its next series or sections of moulds to the hopper, when, again stopping, such moulds are filled by the action of the follower in the hopper, as above described, and another of the set or series ot' moulds brought to the hopper, and so on, as long as the wheel may be revolved, the several sections or series of the moulds being presented in regular and successive` turn to the action of the follower in the hopper, for being filled with clay from the same. As one section ofthe moulds to the mould-wheel is being {illed with clay, by thc action of the follower in the hopper, as above described, and' simultaneously therewith the clay in another section or series, previously filled from the hopper, is being acted upon by the' presser-frame B2, through the straightening out of the toggle-levers Gr2 hungthereto, andsuch clay thereby compressed into a more compact and solid shape. This action of this prcsser-frame on the clay is through the plungers ofthe moulds,`which are caused, by the abutmentand pressure against the same 'of thoslide to the presser-frame, to freely press the clay up against the outside cross-piece D of the presser-frame that is thon brought against the periphery or face of the mould-wheel, when, before the mould-wheelis again moved forward, this presser frame is relieved and freed therefrom, the arrangement of its operating parts being such that, when adjusted, it will be so removed, the advantages of which are obvious. At the same time this filling of one section of the moulds with clay, and the compression of the-clay within another section is taking place, as above explained, thc bricks or blocksthus formed, but within another section of the moulds, are being discharged or cleared therefrom bythe action of the parts providedfor such purpose, as has been hereinbefore described, and delivered to thc endless travelling apron arranged for their reception within the machine, the clearersbeing withdrawn from the mould-wheel, however, before it is again moved around. .As the mould-wheel is revolvcdthe clearingand oiling-brushes, provided therefor, are rotatedand the travelling apron moved, but are all stationary when the wheel is at rest, atwheh time, as before described. the filling of the moulds with clay, the compression `of such clay within the moulds, and its discharge therefrom in a form corresponding thereto, all take place.

From the above description of the relative operation of the several parts to the machine, embraced in the present invention, it is plainly apparent tha-t while the mould-wheel is to be turned, there is no pressure upon the same or upon the clay within the moulds, but the wheelis perfectly free and relcved,vthe advantage of which, in thesaving of wear, friction, and power, are self-manifest without any further explanation.

That, furthermore, by the arrangement of the mechanism for driving the parts to lill the moulds Vto compress the'clay therein and discharge it-therefrom, is such as'.t`o be susceptible of being constructed in many ways, for ready and easy adjustment to suit clays, dto., of different consistencies, and for moulding and pressing bricks, die., into a ferm more or less compact or firm, as may be desired. i i

That, furthermore, while every motion' is positive, they are produced in such manner as to always insure the formation of perfect bricks or blocks, and to insure their being discharged from the moulds with all of their faces or sides fre'e from being nipped or otherwise bruised or injured.

That, furthermore, by the arrangement of the brushes for brushing 'the travelling apron and thc face of the mould-wheel, and for oiling the face of the latter, they can be always kept clean and clear from dust or dirt, or other substances which might tend to detract from the quality ofthe bricks produced in the machine.

In order to guard against the possibility of the bricks adhering to the plungers of the moulds, when such plungers are forced out te discharge the bricks, &c., therefrom, upon the endless apron N2, a rail or cross-piece, W2, hereinbefore referred to as carrying the brush V3, by means of which the endless apron is brushed, is so located as torform an abutmentfor such bricks, as the wheel isgturned, and thus to knock them off, as it were,

from the plungers to the moulds, if adhering thereto upon the endless apron.

By the operation ofthe clearers in the moulds their plungers are brought out to the face of the wheel, where they remain, until, by the action of the follower in the hopper, they are forced back into the moulds, but only as the clay presses them forward. By -this means there is no possibility of an air-cushion being formed within the mould, between its clay and its follower, the advantage of whichI is self-manifest. When thc compression of the clay takes place, the only air that-is within the moulds, if any, being that which may be contained or be lodged in the clay itself as it is mixed.

As the plungers to the -moulds of the wheel are forced in with the clay, by the forward ymovement of the follower in the hopper, they abut against the end bar of D2 ofthe toggle-lever G2, and arc thus limited in their movements,.this surface of thev cross-bar DZ being made eccentric, as shown in fig. 7, and arranged for adjustment, and for being set, by means of a set-screw or otherwise.

Having thus described any improvements, what I claim, and desire to have secured to meby Letters Patent, is

l.f A mould-wheel or frame, made of an annular or ring-shape, and suspended upon rollers, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. The combination ofv the mould-wheel or frame K, arranged so as to have an intermittent rotary motion, with the follower Z, or its equivalent, within the feed-hopper X and box Y, when such follower is arranged for operation with regard to the mould-wheel, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. Thecombination, with a mould-wheel or frame, K, arranged to have an intermittent rotary motion, of the frame B2, so disposed and arrangedabout such wheel as to exert a. pressurcupon the clay within its moulds, substantially as and for the purpose specified. I

4. The mould-wheel or frame K, arranged to have an intermittent rotary motion, the stems M2, the presserframe B2, and the-moulds O O O O, so combined and arranged as to operate simultaneously, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. Se arranging the endless belt or apron, in combination with the stationary clearer-board W"Z and brush V2, rocker-shaft arm I, and pawl-lever V3, when operated on the/gear z, causing an intermittent rotary motion, substantially as and for the purposes described.

6. The brushes X2 and B3, in combination with a mould-wheel, arranged to have an intermittent rotary motion, when such brushes are disposed for operation upon the said wheel, and are only revolved or actuated when-the wheel is in motion, su. v ntially as described for the 'purposes specified.

JOHN NORTH.

Witnesses:

AnimarA W. BROWN, T. B. Banouma. 

